Backup and recovery. HP EliteBook 720 G1 Notebook PC, EliteBook 820 G1 Notebook PC

11 Backup and recovery

To protect your information, use Windows Backup and Restore to back up individual files and folders, back up your entire hard drive (select models only), create system repair discs (select models only)with the installed optical drive (select models only) or an optional external optical drive, or create system restore points. In case of system failure, you can use the backup files to restore the contents of your computer.

Windows Backup and Restore provides the following options:

● Creating a system repair disc (select models only) by using the installed optical drive (select models only) or an optional external optical drive

● Backing up your information

● Creating a system image (select models only)

● Scheduling automatic backups (select models only)

● Creating system restore points

● Recovering individual files

● Restoring the computer to a previous state

● Recovering information using recovery tools

NOTE: For detailed instructions, perform a search for these topics in Help and Support.

In case of system instability, HP recommends that you print the recovery procedures and save them for later use.

NOTE: Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. See Help and Support for more information.

71

Creating recovery media with HP Recovery Disc Creator

NOTE: Your computer may not come equipped with an internal optical drive. In order to create the recovery DVD, you may need to plug in an external optical drive.

HP Recovery Disc Creator is a software program that offers an alternative way to create recovery media. After you successfully set up the computer, you can create recovery media using HP

Recovery Disc Creator. This recovery media performs a system recovery if the hard drive becomes corrupted. A system recovery reinstalls the original operating system and the software programs installed at the factory, and then configures the settings for the programs.

HP Recovery Disc Creator can create two kinds of recovery DVDs as follows:

● Windows DVD—Installs the operating system without additional drivers or applications.

Choosing this selection creates a DVD that restores the original operating system and the software programs installed at the factory.

● Driver DVD—Installs specific drivers and applications only, in the same way that the HP

Software Setup utility installs drivers and applications.

Creating recovery media

NOTE: Operating system recovery media can be created only once. Thereafter, the option to create that media will not be available.

1.

Select Start > All Programs > Security and Protection > HP Recovery Disc Creator .

2.

Select Driver DVD or Windows DVD .

3.

From the drop-down menu, select the drive for burning the recovery media.

4.

Click the Burn button to start the burning process.

Backing up your information

Recovery after a system failure is as good as your most recent backup. Immediately after software setup, you should create system repair discs (select models only) using HP Recovery Disc Creator using the installed optical drive (select models only) or an optional external optical drive and back up your system. As you add new software and data files, you should continue to back up your system on a regular basis to maintain a reasonably current backup. The system repair discs (select models only) are used to start up (boot) the computer and repair the operating system in case of system instability or failure. Your initial and subsequent backups allow you to restore your data and settings if a failure occurs.

You can back up your information to an optional external hard drive, a network drive, or discs.

Note the following when backing up:

● Store personal files in the Documents library, and back it up regularly.

● Back up templates that are stored in their associated programs.

● Save customized settings that appear in a window, toolbar, or menu bar by taking a screen shot of your settings. The screen shot can be a time-saver if you have to reset your preferences.

72 Chapter 11 Backup and recovery

● When backing up to discs, use any of the following types of discs (purchased separately): CD-R,

CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, or DVD±RW. The discs you use will depend on the type of optical drive you are using.

NOTE: Your computer may not come equipped with an internal optical drive. In order to create back up discs, you may need to plug in an external optical drive.

NOTE: DVDs and DVDs with double-layer (DL) support store more information than CDs, so using them for backup reduces the number of recovery discs required.

● When backing up to discs, number each disc before inserting it into the external drive.

To create a backup using Backup and Restore:

NOTE: Be sure that the computer is connected to AC power before you start the backup process.

NOTE: The backup process may take over an hour, depending on file size and the speed of the computer.

1.

Select Start > All Programs > Maintenance > Backup and Restore .

2.

Follow the on-screen instructions to set up your backup, create a system image (select models only), or create a system repair disc (select models only).

Performing a system recovery

In case of system failure or instability, the computer provides the following tools to recover your files:

● Windows recovery tools: You can use Windows Backup and Restore to recover information you have previously backed up. You can also use Windows Startup Repair to fix problems that might prevent Windows from starting correctly.

● f11 recovery tools: You can use the f11 recovery tools to recover your original hard drive image.

The image includes the Windows operating system and software programs installed at the factory.

NOTE: If you are unable to boot (start up) your computer and you cannot use the system repair discs you previously created (select models only), you must purchase a Windows 7 operating system

DVD to reboot the computer and repair the operating system. For additional information, see

Using a

Windows 7 operating system DVD (purchased separately) on page 75 .

NOTE: Your computer may not come equipped with an internal optical drive. In order to use the operating system DVD, you may need to plug in an external optical drive.

Using the Windows recovery tools

To recover information you previously backed up:

1.

Select Start > All Programs > Maintenance > Backup and Restore .

2.

Follow the on-screen instructions to recover your system settings, your computer (select models only), or your files.

To recover your information using Startup Repair, follow these steps:

Performing a system recovery 73

CAUTION: Using Startup Repair completely erases hard drive contents and reformats the hard drive. All files you have created and any software installed on the computer are permanently removed. When reformatting is complete, the recovery process restores the operating system, as well as the drivers, software, and utilities from the backup used for recovery.

1.

If possible, back up all personal files.

2.

If possible, check for the presence of the Windows partition and the HP Recovery partition.

To check for the Windows partition, select Start > Computer .

To check for the HP Recovery partition, click Start , right-click Computer , click Manage , and then click Disk Management .

NOTE: If the HP Recovery partition has been deleted, the f11 restore option will not function.

You must recover your operating system and programs using the Windows 7 operating system

DVD and the Driver Recovery disc (both purchased separately) if the Windows partition and the

HP Recovery partition are not listed. For additional information, see

Using a Windows 7 operating system DVD (purchased separately) on page 75 .

3.

If the Windows partition and the HP Recovery partition are listed, restart the computer, and then press f8 before the Windows operating system loads.

4.

Select Startup Repair .

5.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

NOTE: For additional information on recovering information using the Windows tools, perform a search for these topics in Help and Support.

Using f11 recovery tools

CAUTION: Using f11 recovery tools completely erases hard drive contents and reformats the hard drive. All files you have created and any software installed on the computer are permanently removed. The f11 recovery tool reinstalls the operating system and HP programs and drivers that were installed at the factory. Software not installed at the factory must be reinstalled.

To recover the original hard drive image using f11 :

1.

If possible, back up all personal files.

2.

If possible, check for the presence of the HP Recovery partition: click Start , right-click

Computer , click Manage , and then click Disk Management .

NOTE: If the HP Recovery partition is not listed, you must recover your operating system and programs using the Windows 7 operating system DVD and the Driver Recovery disc (both purchased separately). For additional information, see

Using a Windows 7 operating system

DVD (purchased separately) on page 75 .

NOTE: Your computer may not come equipped with an internal optical drive. In order to use the operating system DVD, you may need to plug in an external optical drive.

3.

If the HP Recovery partition is listed, restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.

4.

Press f11 while the “Press <F11> for recovery” message is displayed on the screen.

5.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

74 Chapter 11 Backup and recovery

Using a Windows 7 operating system DVD (purchased separately)

To order a Windows 7 operating system DVD, go to the HP website. For U.S. support, go to http:// www.hp.com/go/contactHP . For worldwide support, go to http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/ wwcontact_us.html

. You can also order the DVD by calling support. For contact information, see the

Worldwide Telephone Numbers booklet included with the computer.

CAUTION: Using a Windows 7 operating system DVD completely erases hard drive contents and reformats the hard drive. All files you have created and any software installed on the computer are permanently removed. When reformatting is complete, the recovery process helps you restore the operating system, as well as drivers, software, and utilities.

To initiate recovery using a Windows 7 operating system DVD:

NOTE: This process takes several minutes.

NOTE: Your computer may not come equipped with an internal optical drive. In order to use the operating system DVD, you may need to plug in an external optical drive.

1.

If possible, back up all personal files.

2.

Restart the computer, and then insert the Windows 7 operating system DVD into the optical drive before the Windows operating system loads.

3.

When prompted, press any keyboard key.

4.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

5.

Click Next .

6.

Select Repair your computer .

7.

Follow the on-screen instructions.

After the repair is completed:

1.

Eject the Windows 7 operating system DVD, and then insert the Driver Recovery disc.

2.

Install the Hardware Enabling Drivers first, and then install Recommended Applications.

Performing a system recovery 75